Father speaks out as pair who sexually assaulted 15-year-old see only jail time, probation

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A Kent County circuit judge on Tuesday sentenced a Lowell area man and woman to six months in the county jail for the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl, citing their clean prior records as an indication of what could be a stronger future ahead.

Jonathan Crandall, 28, and Jillian Lemmink, 18, lured the girl into Crandall’s apartment in downtown Lowell with the promise of alcohol on Jan. 14, 2012.

During that time, the girl became intoxicated and was raped, police said.

Circuit Judge Paul Sullivan cited several outstanding factors, including alcohol, as he chose a downward departure in sentencing for the two on March 26. Prosecutors agreed to a minimum sentence of no more than 17 months as part of an agreement for no contest pleas for both to second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The father of the victim, who is being identified by MLive only as Daniel, spoke out in anger as he left the courtroom, upset those who hurt his daughter would see no time in prison.

The teen since has spent significant time in counseling and has had to face public talk of what happened to her among peers at her high school.

“It screwed her life,” he said.

But what exactly happened in January 2012 may never be clear because of the victim’s inebriated state, Sullivan said. DNA tests for evidence of the assault came back negative.

Lemmink herself was 17 at the time — still a Lowell High School senior, Sullivan said.

Crandall had a job, a college degree, and a promising future ahead.

“The whole thing is very unfortunate for all three individuals involved here,” Sullivan said.

He sentenced the pair to six months in the Kent County Jail with 41 days credit for Crandall and 43 days credit for Lemmink. Both will serve a probation term of five years, at which point they may serve an additional six months behind bars. That will be dependent on their actions during the probationary period.

Lemmink, whom Daniel described as once being a friend of his daughter, told Sullivan she had no intention of bringing the teen to Crandall’s apartment “to have what happened happen.”

Others came to court Tuesday in support of Crandall, who is active in the Lowell business community.

John Westra, a past soccer coach and family friend, expressed hope for a different future ahead.

“It only takes one bad decision. Every decision you make is important,” he said.

Lemmink and Crandall together must pay $3,150 in restitution to the victim’s family.